Blanket Bay campsite – Great Ocean Walk

We know the Great Otway National Park in Victoria pretty well. Having bushwalked, camped and hiked in the area for 30 years or so it is like our second home. It is a terrific escape when we want to “go bush”. Just 2hrs drive from home, we can be set up camp in no time and relax in the bush right next to the roaring ocean of Bass Strait.

Heaven.

Recently we took a mid week escape and headed to Blanket Bay for a couple of nights. The weather forecast was terrible, rain, wind and cool temperatures but this trip had been planned for weeks so nothing was going to stop us.

It was school holidays in Victoria and we were concerned the 23 sites may be full. To our great surprise there were plenty of options. Maybe the weather forecast put people off.

Our simple camper trailer set up with solar panels to keep the battery charged

One reason we love Blanket Bay is the option to have an open fire. There are three designated fire pits, fantastic for sitting around in the evening catching up with friends, old and new. You cannot collect firewood as Blanket bay is in a National Park. We always take our own supply of firewood and never collect fallen timber from the area.

Fireplace at Blanket Bay – take your own wood!

We have been modifying our new camper trailer to become more self sufficient. This was the first trip with a set of 120w solar panels. Even with cloudy weather they charged up the battery in the camper.

Great lighting from a strip of LED lights in the annex

It was not all sitting around the fire and sleeping. There is a nice section of the Great Ocean Walk between Blanket Bay and Parker Inlet that meanders through some classic Otway National Park.

At about 6km return, with some nice ups and downs, gorgeous tree ferns, valleys and spectacular ocean views it is a great short walk. The track is well maintained and usually takes us about 1.5 hrs for the round trip. It is just long enough to feel like we have had some good exercise. It is a perfect walk for families with young walkers as the track is usually dry and well graded.(just allow more time, we usually go as fast as we can)

Typical walking track between Blanket Bay and Parker Inlet

We don’t usually walk right down to the Parker Inlet. It is a terrific isolated beach but the climb back up is steep!

Top of the hill before the steep descent to Parker Inlet. It is not part of our quick walk from Blanket Bay

So that’s it. A quick rundown of our escape to Blanket Bay. And the weather? Terrific, cloudy but minimal rain. Just how we like it. Lots of snoozing, walking, great food and an open fire.

Do you have a special place to escape on a bushwalking or camping trip?

We had a great time in otways last year. A pretty special spot. Spent time at gellibrand (otways campground), so focused on hills area.

Mambray creek in SA is our pick for top spot at home. Mt Remarkable NP has many great hikes. Was tough on the kids, but our loop through hidden gorge from mambray creek was spectacular. We will be going again soon.

Nice camper trailer, Frank. Got some more details about it, for those of us who about to embark on buying one?

Hmmm – I love anywhere on the OT first and foremost, but for bushwalking, many of the connecting trails in the Great Walks system on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are great, including Kondalilla to Baroon Pocket.

Cooloolah National Park has lovely beachy walks and camping, and Girraween NP on the Granite Belt has clambering rocky ones.